One hot summer, p.12
One Hot Summer, page 12
“Hey, why have you turned away?” Zack spooned me, a perfect fit, making me smile and relax once more.
Suddenly, Bing let out a howl at the bedroom door.
“He’ll be hungry,” I moaned. “I forgot to feed him when I got home last night. I should sort him out soon, or else he’ll do his impersonation of Pavarotti. The neighbours will think we’re harbouring a werewolf if he carries on.”
“How’s his Nessun Dorma?”
“Painful.”
Zack laughed as he held me more tightly. “Do you have to right now? A few more minutes.”
Bing wailed louder.
“Yes, I think I have to.” I threw back the duvet and pulled away from Zack’s arms. He rolled back over to his side of the bed whilst I put on my dressing gown.
Bing followed me downstairs, attached to my leg like a magnet, and he did not shut up until I had topped up his bowl with some cat biscuits. I made a mental note to warn Sarah that he can get very hangry.
I found my phone sitting on the kitchen counter, so I sent Sarah a message:
Possibly sharing my holiday with a twenty-something… send me words of encouragement to stop me binning my bikinis! Xx
Almost immediately, she replied:
Sod the twenty-something! You are fabulous! Gorgeous! Boobs never looked better! You make those Victoria’s Secret models look like crap! Xxxxx
A bit too far… but I appreciate the effort. You looking forward to your date tomorrow? Xx
She didn’t reply instantly, so I popped the kettle on and set out two cups. I undid my dressing gown, looking down at my naked body. I was slumped forward, which wasn’t a flattering look, my belly all rolled up and ancient boobs sat atop the flab. I stood up straight, pushing my chest out. My boobs still didn’t look great though. I blew some cold air on them, making them look a little bit perkier. Hmm, not bad. Still got it. I just needed to make sure I walked around with my chest pushed out the whole holiday and… Oh shit.
I quickly closed my dressing gown, turning away from the elderly EVRi delivery guy who was staring at me, wide-eyed, through the kitchen window.
“Oh, bugger!” In my haste to fasten my dressing gown, I had pulled it around me quickly, but one of the ties swung around too fast and whipped one of the cups onto the floor. It smashed into pieces, scaring the life out of Bing, who slid on the lino in panic, unable to find a grip so he could run away quickly enough. My kitchen was suddenly a scene from a Looney Tunes cartoon.
“What’s happened?” Zack rushed into the kitchen, looking around. His hands gripped my arms, as my hands covered my face in shame.
“Oh, nothing, I just showed off the goods to Fred. Full-frontal everything. Nothing major.” My face burned, as I turned back to see Fred waving a parcel, unable to speak any words. Zack, holding in his laughter like a gentleman, went to the back door and signed for it.
“I’ve heard of tipping delivery guys, but I think he got more than he deserved,” he said afterwards. “This parcel isn’t even for you, it’s for next door. What the hell do you offer when it’s for you?” He laughed.
“Sod off and make the drinks. I’ll clean these broken bits of crockery up.”
“Leave that, I’ll clean it up.” He reached down to the cupboard under the sink for the dustpan and brush. “You go back upstairs. I’ll make us a drink.”
“Okay, thank you.” I leaned down to kiss him on the top of the head while he crouched down and swept up. Then I picked up my phone and read Sarah’s delayed reply.
Feeling quite nervous about the date, eek! I will tell you all about it when you get back from your holiday, I promise. Just need you to keep an open mind. xxx
An open mind? What could she mean?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
One day to go. One final day to go. This time tomorrow, we would be on our merry way to beautiful, exotic Crete.
I’d allowed myself a bit of a pamper day today seeing as though I’ve been off work. I am now waxed everywhere I could possibly need to be. My legs have never been so smooth. The underarm wax was interesting and something I would prefer to never experience again. The bikini-line wax went a little further than usual, which was painful, but I don’t want to risk an awkward moment if I’m going to be around a twenty-something who will probably look perfect. Although I have made a deal with myself that I won’t think about that and make myself feel inadequate or insecure. I am feeling great and in absolute holiday mode. Nothing could bring me down today. Not the rain lashing down outside, not the empty fridge meaning there was nothing to eat, and not even the horrifying memory of flashing Fred everything I had to offer (pre-wax… even worse).
All of Bing’s things were ready. I’d bought a new bag of his favourite food and grabbed a few of his toys and favourite blanket so Sarah’s home could be a bit more comfortable for him. Although finding him is going to be an issue. Cleaning and packing up his litter box gave him a clue that he’d be going away somewhere, which was probably a mistake. I’d have to check under my pillow shortly. No doubt he’d be under there, moulting.
Zack wandered into the kitchen and opened the fridge.
“It’s empty,” I said.
“We don’t even have any milk for a drink,” he said with a sigh. “We’ll need a coffee in the morning before we go. And a breakfast of some sort. We need to set off at five o’clock.”
“Say what, now?” I stopped in my tracks.
“We need to set off at five o’clock.” He looked at me as though I should have been aware of this traumatic news. “The flight is at eight, it takes roughly forty-five minutes to get to the airport. I doubt there’ll be traffic at that time, but I need to check my car into their car park as soon as we get there. We’ll want to be setting off at five, if not even earlier.”
“I thought the flight was at eight in the evening?”
“We looked at a few flights, didn’t we?” Did we? “And we decided to go with the earlier one so we’d have more time in Crete.” I vaguely recalled a conversation about flights, but I didn’t remember agreeing to such a demonic time. Zack pulled out his phone and started scrolling through his emails for the booking confirmation. “Here, see?”
He passed me his phone, so I could look at the flight details on his email. Sure enough, we had booked the eight o’clock flight in the morning. Dammit. Day one of my holiday and I’d be up before the birds. I started calculating. I’d planned on a morning shower, but if we’d be leaving here at five, I’d need to get up at four. Actually, no, half three. Half three? Who gets up at half three? We may as well not be going to bed at all.
I started counting the time on my fingers, but could feel myself flapping. Panicking. I’d planned it all out, but now I couldn’t decide what to do. What would I do about taking Bing over to Sarah’s? We’d planned to do it this evening, but if I had to go to bed early…
“Are you all right?” Zack stared at me.
“I’m just trying to work things out, don’t you worry. Silly girly preparation stuff.”
“Okay, well, you ponder over girly stuff. I’m going to pop to the shop for a pint of milk and grab us a pizza for tea. Unless you want to order a takeaway tonight?”
Hmm, a takeaway tonight meant a potentially irritable bowel situation on the plane tomorrow. All this last-minute panic was flipping my stomach already.
“Just grab a pizza from the shop, that’ll do.” Probably the safest option.
He kissed me then grabbed his keys and said he wouldn’t be long.
I decided that I would shower before going to bed, so I could get up a bit later in the morning. It just meant I would need to take Bing over to Sarah’s a little earlier than planned. I checked the time. She would be at work, but I could just take him over now. I had a spare key for emergencies, and I knew she wouldn’t mind.
I tried to call her, but there was no answer. I wandered around the kitchen and tried again. Still no answer. I decided to send her a message and then leave, even if I hadn’t heard back from her.
Hey! Change of plan. I’ll explain later but I’m going to have to bring Bing over now. I’ll leave him in your kitchen with food and water, and I’ll set up his litter box. Really hope he isn’t any trouble for you! Ciaooo Xx
I quickly got dressed and made sure all of Bing’s things were in my car. All that was left to do now was grab the escape artist. I made sure my arms and legs were covered to protect myself from his claws.
“Oh Biiiiing. Bingy Bing.” I crept around the hall and poked my head into the lounge. Nothing. I slowly went up the stairs and into the bedroom, seeing a lump under my pillow. “Come on, Bing, come on.” Nothing. I pulled out the secret weapon. “Dreamies.” I gave the bag a little shake. Like a genie at the rub of a lamp, Bing appeared from under my pillow to drop next to my feet, ears pointing up and tail fluffed. I held out my hand, revealing two of his tasty treats. But Bing was not so dumb.
I stepped back with the Dreamies still in my hand, trying to tempt him my way, but he stayed put. He blinked, whiskers flared, and slowly turned around so his back was facing me. I didn’t have time to mess about. I put the treats in my pocket and lunged forward, grabbing him and risking certain death by a thousand scratches by quickly shoving him in the carrier which I had relocated to the landing.
“There we go,” I said, as he growled at me from his prison. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
My car rolled down Sarah’s driveway at just after twelve. I smiled at her house, admiring how far my friend had come this year. From being so broken thanks to Max the Wanker, she was now a born-again independent woman. And my friend was finally back on the dating scene and had even found someone she liked. I couldn’t wait to hear all about it.
Bing grumbled from the back seat.
“Okay, okay. We’re going.”
I carefully coordinated myself so I could carry everything, Bing included, to the house. I fumbled with the keys and eventually managed to bring all the belongings inside.
“Hang on in there, Bing,” I reassured him. “You wait until I’ve got your things ready.”
I pulled his dishes out first, put fresh water in one and biscuits in the other, and placed them both on the floor by the fridge. I was just about to start on his litter tray when I thought I heard creaking floorboards coming from the bedroom. I tried not to think about it. Houses make noises, especially old ones. I had asked Sarah whether it was a good idea buying such an old house, in case it came with a resident ghost.
“Not all old houses are haunted,” she’d reassured me. “Walls crack and floorboards creak, it happens.”
I wasn’t entirely convinced then, and I still wasn’t now. As hard as I tried to ignore the creaking and the footsteps, and whatever was approaching the door to the kitchen, my heart was pounding with fear. I grabbed the nearest object I could find to defend myself, as the door was thrown open. I winced and took a step back, readying myself to attack.
“A spatula? Really?” Sarah stepped into the kitchen and closed the door behind her. “You almost gave me a heart attack. I thought someone had broken in.”
“Right back at ya, sista.” I put the spatula back on the counter while my heart tried to resume its normal pace. “What are you doing here? I assumed you were at work. Your car wasn’t on the drive when I arrived.”
“I left it in town. I’m going to go pick it up later. We ended up having some drinks and…”
“Ah yes, the date.” I looked at my friend, who was still fastening her dressing gown and flattening her hair. Or trying to, at least. That hair was a sure sign of a good night. “The bed got christened last night then?”
“Well…” It wasn’t often that Sarah blushed.
“It’s okay, it’s okay.” I held up my hands. “We’re saving all the juicy gossip for when I’m back. I won’t push you for details. Did you get my text?”
“No,” her eyes darted to the door, wincing at the footsteps that were making their way from the bedroom, “I’ll have a look though, and send you a reply. Just leave Bing’s stuff there, I’ll sort it all out, and I’ll…”
The door opened.
There he stood.
My ex-friend-with-benefits. Dan.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Our eyes locked. I wasn’t imagining anything. It was Dan. My Dan. My very own ex. The guy I had been having sex with, on and off, for nearly a decade. So, he was the guy that Sarah had been seeing. The one she liked and had been texting every day since they’d had their first date. After everything, why didn’t she feel she could tell me about it? Why not be honest from the outset?
Thoughts were flying around inside my head, not making any sense. How long had they been talking? Was it when we found him on the dating app? Who made the first move? Were they falling in love? I looked down at Bing in his carrier, as he started scratching at the floor, making me remember why I was there. I released the catch on his carrier. I didn’t look at Sarah. I couldn’t.
I directed my comments to the cupboard door. “He’s eaten already this morning. Don’t let him make you think he’s dying of hunger at any time. He will be lying.” I picked up his bag of food and toys and placed them on Sarah’s table. “His things are in there. Dreamies, too. No more than five a day, or else he’ll be sick, probably in the last place you want him to be. There’s a blanket in there that might make him a bit more comfortable in a new place, he likes to sleep on it. Thank you so much.”
“Jenny…” Sarah stepped towards me.
“I have to go, I have some things still to pack.” I turned towards the door.
“Don’t go.”
“I’ll call you when I’m home and arrange to pick him up. Thanks again for having him.”
“Jenny…” I heard Dan’s voice as I pulled the front door open and stepped outside, but I didn’t stop to hear what he had to say. I kept on going, almost dropping my car keys as I fumbled with them in my pocket to get the car door open. I had to get away as quickly as I could. I was followed closely by a frantic Sarah, who grabbed my car door, preventing me from shutting it and driving away as fast as possible.
“I’m sorry,” she said, tears forming in her eyes. “I was going to tell you when you got back. I didn’t know where this would lead. Whether it would even lead anywhere. I wasn’t sure how to tell you. We just–”
“I need to go, Sarah. We’ll talk after my holiday, like we originally planned to do.” I held on to the steering wheel, too scared to look at her in case I started to cry too.
“Look, I get that it’s weird and I can kind of understand why you’d feel a bit jealous, but–”
“Jealous?” I cut her off. “You think I’m jealous? Sarah, Dan can do whatever the hell he likes. You can do what you like. You and he can do whatever you like together. You’re both single adults. I don’t care that you and he are together. You’re both great, amazing people. If I’d liked him in that way, then I would have taken that step with him when he wanted to make it more serious.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Her panic switched to confusion. It made me angrier. How could she not understand why I was so upset with her? I finally looked at her.
“The problem is, after everything we have been through, not just the last twelve months, everything, you couldn’t pick up the phone and tell me you were going on a date with Dan.”
“I didn’t know how you’d react.”
“And that’s the problem. You didn’t want to find out how I might react. You just went ahead even though you thought there was a possibility that I would be mad. That is the problem.”
“I’m sorry.” It was her turn to be at a loss for words. Dan appeared at the doorway, not saying anything. Sarah tried again. “I did a really shitty thing. I’ve betrayed you. Please, Jenny, can we talk?”
“I need to go. I’ll see you when I get back.”
Sarah stepped back and allowed me to shut the car door. I pulled away and drove off, not wanting to look at either of them.
I barely registered my brother’s Tesla parked outside my house when I got back. I just reversed onto my drive without really paying attention. I was so upset and distracted that I had to do a quick check to be sure that I’d pulled onto the correct drive.
My head was spinning with thoughts by the time I got home from Sarah’s. I’d needed to clear my head, so on the way home I drove to Ogden Reservoir, where I knew it would be peaceful at that time of day and I would be able to clear my head.
As I followed the trail around the water that was surrounded by trees and passed the odd dog walker who nodded in greeting, I found a sheltered bench and sat down. I tried picturing Sarah and Dan together. I had known them both for such a long time. Dan had matured over the years. From the look of his dating-app profile, he really was ready for love, and I trusted him to look after Sarah. Also, if he was going to find the right kind of girl anywhere who would be a partner as well as a best friend, it was Sarah. She had learned from her mistakes with Max The Wanker, and while her barriers might have been up with other dates, she would know what she was getting with Dan as I had spoken about him for years, so why couldn’t she speak to me about him?
After a while, I wandered around the reservoir once more, and thought about all that Sarah and I had been through together, over the years. The immature boyfriends, the horrors of university hangovers, the first holiday to Zante all those years ago, and all the other trips since. We were best friends, maybe even soulmates, so why couldn’t she have spoken to me first? Why couldn’t she have told me they were meeting up for a date?
